The age of sports-inspired luxury footwear has arrived
By now, even the most fashion-averse would have heard of the Nike x Tiffany & Co. Air Force 1 1837, Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance 860v2 and Adidas x Gucci Gazelle—or, what Harry Styles fanatics will insist are called Satellite Stompers. Clout chasers or not, these athletic adaptations are surprisingly versatile, durable and built for comfort. Wear them to the gym, on a hike or on a grocery run. Whichever your exertion of choice, style cachet comes guaranteed.
Moncler Trailgrip Sneakers
Moncler’s Trailgrip champions its mountaineering roots. Like last season’s debut range, this year’s sneakers retain the Gore-Tex covering and proprietary Vibram Megagrip outsole. A summer-oriented update comes in the form of a breathable mesh and lightweight fabrics on the upper. But that’s not all. The Trailgrip has also gotten more colourful, sporting a new range of vivid hues, including a purple with pink and aqua blue accents as well as a neon-green variant.
Nike x Comme des Garçons Terminator High
Having previously co-opted Nike’s famed silhouettes like Dunk Low and Air Max Sunder in its designs, it comes as no surprise that Comme des Garçons has now decided to give Terminator a go. The model was originally conceived in 1985 as a special-edition sneaker for the Georgetown Hoyas men’s programme, Nike’s first signature shoe for a college basketball team. Keeping modifications to the bare minimum, CDG Homme Plus opts for simple black, navy or red block panels, with matching swoosh logo and Nike branding boldly displayed on the heel. Each model consists of premium leather with a perforated toe box as well as a padded collar and tongue for breathability and comfort.
Louis Vuitton LV Archlight 2.0 Platform Sneaker
Ever since LV Archlight made its runway debut, the sneaker has been a hit among style mavens, recognised by its oversized tongue and prominently curved sole. To celebrate its fifth anniversary, Louis Vuitton has released version 2.0, centred around three themes: Cottage Core, Gothic Vibes and Y2K Influence. Your best bet for languid strolls around the countryside lies in the former, which is furnished with crocheted raffia in a cool earth-toe colour scheme.
Dior B31 Runner Sneaker
Dior Men’s creative director, Kim Jones, and its footwear lead, Thibo Denis, are once again pushing boundaries with the B31 sneakers. Part of the brand’s spring/summer 2023 collection, the statement pair blends technical know-how with Dior’s couture spirit. Presenting a futuristic take on Dior’s Cannage motif, each sneaker comes with a thick, sculpted rubber sole and reinforced heel for superior grip and stability. The look is finished with a CD Diamond drawstring cord and Dior signature on the tongue and front.
Loewe x On Cloudventure
Good marriages last a long time. A fine example is Loewe’s ongoing collaboration with Swiss performance sportswear brand On. Both companies first teamed up in 2021 and, this year, have expanded On’s signature Cloudventure running shoes for the third time. The unisex drop gets new colourways like pale turquoise, pale yellow, pale green and lilac. Adept for both the city and the outdoors, the shoes are equipped with On’s trademark technologies, such as the Missiongrip rubber outsole and Speedboard mid-sole hidden plate. The fact that each marbled outsole is individually hand-pressed also means that no one pair is exactly the same.
Zegna x Norda Low-top Running Sneakers
For the latest edition of Zegna’s Outdoor Collection, the Italian luxury brand taps into the expertise of ultra-niche Canadian trail running specialist, Norda. Founded in 2021 by endurance athletes, Norda aims for the holy grail of “fit, cushion, grip, weight, breathability and material innovation” in a trail shoe. Safe to say it has accomplished just that with these low-top running sneakers. The shoes feature bio-based Dyneema—reputedly the world’s strongest and lightest fibre—to keep you light on your feet when facing even the toughest terrain.
